Malaysia Day September 16 : Of ISA and Anticipation

Sin Chew reporter released by Malaysiakini Team on Sep 13, 08 4:19pm
Sin Chew Daily senior reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was released this afternoon and she is now back at home in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
- Held from 8.30pm to 2.30pm
- 'Detained for her own safety'

I was shocked when I read the news above. I did not know that people could be detained for their own safety. It seems the Detained is the one whose safety is compromised and not the person who caused it. Silly me, this is Malaysia. I should not be too surprised with such a thing. After all, our theme is "Malaysia Boleh". Blogger What A Lulu provides a better opinion on this matter.

There are many candlelight vigils which had been held these past few days, by National Union of Journalists, Pakatan Rakyat, bloggers and Seputeh area residents.

jelas.info : The Blog House Vigil
anilnetto.com : Activists hold candle-light vigil in Penang on a dark day for democracy
Malaysiakini : Short vigil in Bukit Aman

etc. etc.

It seems many are not very pleased with the usage of Internal Security Act. That includes me. According to Malaysiakini Law Minister Zaid 'tenders resignation'. If there is anyone from Barisan Nasional that gets my respect now, that person would be Zaid Ibrahim.

Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia) is today. It differs from the August 31st Independence Day annual celebration in the sense that Hari Malaysia commemorates the official entry of Eastern Malaysian states, Sabah and Sarawak into the nation.

In short, Sabah and Sarawak became independent on 16th September.

Will Malaysia get a new government for the very first time after more than half-a-century of having the same party (Barisan Nasional) helming the governance?

My friends, family, colleagues are waiting with bated breath. Some of my chinese friends say this is more anticipatory and intersting than the Mooncake festival they were celebrating on Sunday. Whatever the outcome may be, it has been a long wait.

Will we get it? Read Tian Chua's E Contrario : We Are Ready & On Track and judge for yourself.

Note : Visit http://freeteresa.dapmalaysia.org/ for more information on Teresa's current status. Visit http://mt.m2day.org/2008 for more information on Raja Petra Kamarudin, who is one of the ISA detainees.

ISA should be abolished.

The Last Sensible Man from UMNO (Yes, There is Such A Thing)

Yes, the kind is rare. Endangered species. Certainly worth to make a mention. Malaysiakini posted Zaid: Stop pitting Malays against non-Malays by Nash Rahman & Chan Kok Leong on Mar 14, 08 4:33pm
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Important excerpt :
" Former Umno leader Zaid Ibrahim has called on politicians - both government and opposition - to stop fueling racial sentiments in the wake of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition's unprecedented election setback.

“The political landscape has shifted so much and it's a dangerous time for mischievous people and racists in this country to exploit,” he told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview.

“At this stage, when it's still a very volatile, (with) our ethnic relations not good and national unity non-existent, both sides should avoid political grandstanding and emotive outbursts.”

Zaid, who was not picked to defend his Kota Bahru parliament seat, revealed that he had received a lot of SMSes lamenting that the Malays had lost political power.

“And the mainstream media are not helping matters either when they say that the Malays have lost the ‘Ketuanan Melayu’. We've just lost an election, for God's sake. And there is another election coming.

“Don't get emotional. We've another four years. If the Barisan Nasional does its job then we can win again.” "
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Now read these other posts on Zaid Ibrahim :
1) Haris Ibrahim : YB Zaid, you don’t belong in UMNO!
2) Rocky's Bru : Zaid Dropped

Yup, I am as shocked as Haris Ibrahim. According to Rocky's Bru (Ahiruddin Attan) post, Zaid Ibrahim , previously a Member of Parliament was dropped from contesting in Kota Bahru in the recent Election. Come to think of it, could this be a blessing in disguise judging by the poor performance of Barisan Nasional this time around (denied 2/3, lost 5 states in Election 2008)

Perhaps, it is true that Malaysia is experiencing brain drain. It is only time before he moves on. Barisan Rakyat should absorb him (provided they don't self-destruct). Otherwise, would he be good on the other side of the fence, UMNO to speak up and balance off all the keris-wielding , amok shoutings of supremacy ?

One would never know. Until Barisan Nasional changes its stance, my opinion is Zaid will forever be placed in the underdog category for his non-racial stance and intelligent debates on national issues. We have lots of Hishamuddins and Nazris type in UMNO but certainly not Zaids.

Rare species, endangered. May be extinct soon. Preserve while alive.